Elevator-controller



3 SheetsSheet 1.

'No Model) B. 0. JENKINS.

ELEVATOR CONTROLLER.

No. 555,099. Patented Feb. 25, 1896.

Inventor. E. C JeizZz'nJ,

Wnnesses f ww k' Attorneys.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. E. O. JENKINS. ELEVATOR CONTROLLER.

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(No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 3.

E. C. JENKINS. ELEVATOR CONTROLLER. NO. 555,099. Patented Feb. 25, 1896.

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ANDREW a GRAHAM PfiO'YO-LITRO WASNINGTONDL UNTTE STATES 'ATENT ()FFICE.

EBENEZER C. .IEXKINS, OF SIIREIVSBURY, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELEVATOR-CONTROLLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 555,099, dated February25, 1896.

Application filed April 8, 1895- Serial No. 544,945. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EBENEZER O. JENKINS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Shrewsbury, in the county of Worcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement inElevator-Oontrollers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved form of elevator-controller; and theespecial object of my invention is to provide a strong, simple an ddurable form of elevator-controller in which the parts are so mountedthat they will not be affected by the lost motion between theelevator-car and its ways, and are secured so that they will not beaffected by the expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature.

To these ends my invention consists of the parts and combinations ofparts, as hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out inthe claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying three sheets of drawings, Figure 1 is a sideelevation of an elevator-car, showing my improved cont-rolling deviceapplied thereto. Figs. 2 and 3 are de' tail views showing the adjustableconnection between the controlling-lever and the transverse shaft, whichI preferably employ. Fig. I is a sectional view of the elevator-car.Figs. 5 and G are detail views to be hereinafter referred to, and Figs.'7 and S are sectional views showing modified forms of construction.

An elevator-controller constructed according to my present inventioncomprises a movable bar which extends substantially the length of theelevator-well, and devices which are mounted upon the car for shift-ingsaid movable bar.

Referring to the drawings and in detail, A designates an elevator-carwhich is guided upon vertical ways 0 and D, and which may be moved upand down by any of the ordinary connections not necessary to herein showor describe at length. Mounted on the rear wall of the elevator-well Iprovide a stationary strip or bar 10. In practice I preferably secure oranchor the lower end of the strip in place by means of a suitable bolt,as 11, and at suitable intervals I provide a number of clamps 12, whichengage with but are not rigidly secured to the bar 10. By means of thisconstruction it will be seen that the lower end of the strip 10 will beanchored or secured rigidly in place, and that the strip is mounted sothat it may expand or contract freely for the various changes intemperature.

Supported by and connected to the strip 10 by means of parallel links 13is a movable strip it. At its lower end the movable strip 1a isconnected by a link 18 with abell-crank lever 19, which may be connectedby a rod 20 with the valve, switch or other starting and stopping devicefor the elevator. At its upper end the movable strip 1% is connected bya link 15 to a lever 10 having an adjustable counterweight 17 securednear its opposite end, as shown.

Secured on the rear wall of the elevatorwell, parallel with the strip10, I provide a strip 21, which is anchored or secured at its lower endby a bolt 22, and is held in place at suitable intervals by clamps 23,which will allow said bar to freely expand or contract. Mounted upon andconnected to the rod 21 by means of offset braces 24 I providea'guidestrip 25. Engaging with the guide-strip 25, and arranged to movevertically thereon, I provide a shoe or traveler 26.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6 it will be seen that the shoe or traveler 26is provided with a laterally-extending projection or tongue 27, whichfits into and engages a slot 28 formed in a bracket 29, which isfastened upon and secured to the car. By means of this construction itwill be seen that the shoe or traveler 26 will move up and down upon itsguide with the elevator-car and that the projection 27 and the slot 28will provide an adjustable connection which will compensate for anylateral movement of the elevator-car due to the lost motion between theear and its guides.

Journaled at one of its ends in the shoe or traveler 26 and supported bya bracket 31 extending down from the car Iprovide a transverserock-shaft 30. The rock-shaft is provided near the shoe or traveler 26with a crankarm 32, which is pivoted to and actuates a traveler 33,which is movably mounted upon the bar or strip 11L. By means of thisconstruction it will be seen that when the rockshaft 30 is turned thebar 1% will be shifted by means of the crank-arm 32, and the traveler 33and the elevator stopping and start ing device may be operated. Also, itis to be noted that as the bearings of the rock-shaft 30 in the bracket31 and the traveler 26 are separated by a considerable distance theelevator-car may have a considerable lost motion upon its ways withoutaffecting the relation of these parts.

A controlling-lever 35 for actuating the rock-shaft 30 extends upthrough the bottom of the car in a position to be conveniently operatedan d co-operates with a stationary frame or sector 36. Thiscontrolling-lever may be rigidly fixed upon the rock-shaft 30 or it maybe splined thereon; but in practice I preferably provide a pivotedconnection between the controlling-lever 35 and the rock-shaft 30,whereby the elevator-car may slip upon or move longitudinally withrespect to the shaft 30, without materially affecting the relation ofthese parts. The details of this joint are most clearly illustrated inFigs. 2 and Re- 'ferring to these figures, 3i designates a collarrigidly secured upon said shaft 30. Extending up from the collar 3a is atongue 3i0,which may be pivoted to the controlling-lever 35 by means ofa pin 350, as shown. By providing a loose connection between thecontrolling- I lever and the rock'shaft and by providing a slip-jointbetween the car and the traveler 26 it will be seen that said travelerwill move freely on its guide-strip 25 and that the car may have aconsiderable amount of play or lateral movement without cramping thetraveler or causing the same to bind upon its way.

In order to stop the elevator-car at the top and bottom of the run, Imay provide automatic stopping devices.

In practice I preferably provide an automatic stop for shifting the bar14 to its central position when the elevator-car is at each end of itsrun, thus automatically bringing the car to rest. For this purpose theelevatorcar is provided with a downwardly-extending cam 38, and at itstop is provided with an upwardly-extending cam 40. The cam 38 is locatedin position to engage with a pin 37 extending from the strip 14 whensaid strip 14c has been shifted into position to cause the downwardtravel of the car, and the cam 10 is located in position to engage a pin39 on the strip 1% when said strip 14 has been shifted into position tocause the upward travel of the car.

In connection with the controlling devices thus far described, Ipreferably employ foot controlled connections for stopping the caropposite any of the desired landings. These connections are most clearlyillustrated in Fig. 1. Referringto this figure, 4C1 designates arock-shaft having on its inner end a footpiece 42, and carrying at itsouter end a crank-arm 43, connected by a rod 44 to actuate a bell-cranklever 45, pivoted to a movable piece 46, which is guided in a suitableframe 48, and carries a friction-rolleri7 at its outer end. The movablepiece 46 is normally held in a horizontal position by flat springs 49and 50, which engage upon opposite sides thereof, as shown, and isnormally retracted or drawn back by means of a retractile spring 500.

hen the foot-controlled connections, as above described, are operated,the movable piece 46 will be pushed out against the tension of thespring 500 until the friction-roller is brought into position to engagewith the stationary cam 57 when the car is on its upward travel, or withthe stationary cam 58 when the car is on its downward travel.

The movable piece 46 is connected by a rod 51 with a bell-crank lever52, which is pivoted to a sliding bar 53, having projecting pins orstops 5% and 55, which are located to engage upon opposite sides of alever 56, fastened upon the rock-shaft 30.

hen the movable piece 46 is shifted from its horizontal position byengaging with one of the stationary cams 57 or 58, it will actuate thebell-crank lever 52 through the rod 51, and will move the sliding bar 53so that one of its pins will engage the lever 56, and will move it intoa central position, thus bringing the car to rest opposite the desiredlanding. The central position of the lever 56 is substantially oppositethe staple orbearing which supports the sliding bar 53.

The cams 57 and 58 are preferably provided with shoulders 570 and 580,which engage with the roller 47, to throw the movable piece 46 from itscentral position, and through the connections described to partiallyclose the valve. The inclined portions of the cams will thereafter actto complete the closing of the valve and to stop the car opposite thedesired landing.

In some cases I contemplate dispensing with the strip 21 and theguide-strip 25, and providing a direct connection between theoperating-lever and the movable strip 1i. I have illustrated such aconstruction in Fig. 7. Referring to this figure, 10 designates thestrip which is mounted in the elevator-well, and is connected to themovable strip 11 by the links 13, as hereinbefore described. A shoe ortraveler (50 is mounted upon the strip 14:, and in practice I preferablyprovide the traveler G0 with grooved friction-wheels (51 for holding thesame in place, as shown. The traveler 60 is pivoted to and connected toa crank-arm 6:20, extending down from a rockshaft 63 journaled in thecar, and having a controlling-lever 62 secured thereto. Thecontrollinglever may cooperate with and be guided by a stationary sector64, as shown.

In some cases also I contemplate providing means for engaging with andactuating the movable strip in one direction only, the strip being movedin an opposite direction by gravity or by spring-tension, and I haveillus trated such a construction in Fig. 8. Referring to this figure, 65designates suitable brackets orbearin gs which are mounted in theelevator-well, and which may be adjusted vert ically by means of slotswhich engage with the securing-bolts. Adjustably mounted in the bracketsare blocks 60, which may be secured in their adjusted positions byscrews 050, as shown. The adjustable blocks 60 are connected with amovable strip 1&0 by means of links 130. By means of this constructionthe block 00 can be adjusted to secure the movable rod 1&0 accurately inplace and to compensate for any expansion thereof due to changes intemperature. At its upper end the movable strip 1&0 is connected to anadjustable counterweight [37 by means of a cord of), which passes over apulley or sheave 08. The counterweight 07 is of less weight than themovable strip 1&0, and said strip will have a normal tendency to movedown and laterally with respect to the blocks 66. Engaging with andbearing upon the opposite edge of the movable strip 1&0 I provide africtionwheel 7 30, carried by a crank-arm '72, extend ing down from arock-shaft 71. The rockshaft Tl is provided with a controlling-lever 70,which co-operates with a frame or sector 7- as shown, and in practice Ipreferably provide a coiled spring 7& to counteract the normal tendencyof the movable strip 1&0. In this construction it will be seen that thecontrolling device engages with and actuates the movable strip in onedirection only, said strip moving in the opposite direction by gravity.

I am aware that changes may be made in the construction of mycontrolling device by those who are skilled in the art, and I do notwish therefore to be limited to the exact c011- struction which I haveshown and described; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is-

1. In an elevator-controller, the combination of a fixed support, amovable strip or bar, a plurality of parallel links, each of said linksbeing pivoted near one of its ends to said strip or bar, and near itsopposite end to said fixed support, and devices carried by the car foractuating .said movable strip, substantially as described.

:2. In an elevator-controller, the combination of a movable strip orbar, stationary supports mounted in the elevator-well, a plurality ofparallel links, each of said links being pivoted near one end to themovable strip or bar, and near its other end to a stationary support,and devices carried by the car for actuating said movable strip,substantially as described.

In an elevator-controller, the combination of a movable strip or bar astationary supporting strip mounted in the elevatorwell, means forrigidly securing the lower end of said stationary strip, aplurality ofclamping devices for holding said strip in place while allowing saidstrip to expand or contract for changes in temperature, a plurality ofparallel links, each of said links being pivoted near one of its ends tothe movable strip or bar, and near its other end to the supporting stripor bar, and devices carried by the car for actuating said movable strip,substantially as described.

&. In an elevator-controller, the combination of a movable strip or bar,a shoe or trav eler mounted on said strip or bar, a loose connection forcausing said shoe or traveler to move up and down with the elevator-carwhile compensating for lost motion between the elevator-car and itsways, and means carried by the elevator-car for actuating said shoe ortraveler, substantially as described.

5. The combination of an elevator-car, a movable strip or bar, asupporting-strip, a plurality of parallel links pivoted to said movablebar and to said supporting-strip, a shoe or traveler mounted on saidsupportingstrip, said shoe or traveler being connected to move with theelevator-car by means of a tongue or projection engaging with a slot,and means mounted in the car for actuating the movable strip,substantially as described.

6. The combination of an elevator-car, a movable strip or bar,asupporting-strip, parallel links or levers pivoted to said movablestrip and said supporting-strip, a shoe or traveler mounted on saidsupporting-strip, a rock-shaft journaled in said shoe or traveler, andconnected to actuate the movable strip, and a controlling-leverextending to the interior of the car, said controlling-lever beingloosely connected to the rock-shaft, substantially as described.

7. The combination of an elevator-car, a movable strip or bar, asupporting-strip, parallel links or levers pivoted to said movable stripand to said supporting-strip, a shoe or traveler mounted on saidsupporting-strip, said shoe or traveler being connected to move with theelevator-car by means of a tongue or projection engaging with a slot orgroove, a rock-shaft journaled in said shoe or traveler, and connectedto actuate the movable strip, and a controlling-lever extending to theinterior of the car, said controlling-lever having a loose connectionwith said rockshaft, substantially as described.

8. The combination of a movable strip or bar connected to control themovements of an elevator-car, stationary cams, foot-controlledconnections for shifting the movable piece into position to engage saidstationary cams, and connections between said movable piece foractuating said movable strip or bar, substantially as described.

9. The combination of a movable strip or bar connected to control themovement of an elevator car, a movable piece, stationary cams,foot-controlled connections for shifting said movable piece intoposition to engage with said stationary cams, and a slidable baractuated by said movable piece for shifting said movable strip or bar,substantially as described.

10. The combination of a movable strip or bar connected to control themovement of an elevator-car, a rock-shaft and actuating devices forshifting said movable strip or bar, stationary cams, a lever extendingfrom said rock-shaft, a movable piece mounted in the elevator-car,foot-controlled connections for shifting the movable piece into positionto engage with said stationary cams, and a slidable bar actuated fromsaid movable piece, said slidable bar having pins or projections toengage with said lever, substantialh as 10 described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

EBENEZER C. JENKINS. iVitnesses:

PHILIP W. SOUTHGATE, LOUIS XV. SOUTHGATE.

